I/A Series G3 and N4 - Eliminating multiple Host ID on a single Microsoft Windows platform

Issue

The hostId for a computer running I/A Series G3 version 3.8u1 (or earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 (or earlier) may be changed from the result of a Windows update.

Product Line

TAC IA Series

Environment

I/A Series G3

I/A Series N4

Cause

The hostId is automatically generated upon first install of the software and stored within the registry. The location of the G3 versions 3.8u1 or (earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 or (earlier) registry keys can be affected by a Windows update.

the G3 versions 3.8u1 or (earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 or (earlier) registry keys can be affected by a Windows update.The hostId is automatically generated upon first install of the software and stored within the registry. The location of

the G3 versions 3.8u1 or (earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 or (earlier) registry keys can be affected by a Windows update.

Resolution

I/A Series G3 version 3.8.213 (or higher) and I/A Series N4 version 4.3.58.18 (or higher) have been modified to guard against Windows updates to prevent hostId changes. Installations of N4 4.3 and/or G3 3.8u2 will continue to operate normally and will not assume a new hostid after a Windows update. All previous versions of Niagara could generate a new hostid after a Windows update, requiring a license replacement.

Schneider Electric recommends updating I/A Series G3 and N4 installations to the latest released software in order to maintain the latest security protection and to gain benefit from the latest features. These builds are:

A set of patch files have been created to stabilize the Host ID for cases where customers have not upgraded to the latest version of Niagara (see installation instructions below). Once these patches are applied to the older versions of Workbench the Host ID is stabilized and should not change if Windows updates are installed.

Note: This is a reminder that a 32-bit install will always generate a different host-id than a 64-bit install.

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE PATCHES

Patches are only supported for the latest update (maintenance) version for the relevant release.

Patches are not available for I/A Series G3 release 3.5 and earlier, or I/A Series N4 release 4.0 or 4.1.

Builds prior to G3 3.8.213 are considered unsupported. Customers applying these patches do so at their own risk.

Newer versions of Niagara (3.8U2 and 4.3) have introduced a stabilized method of managing the Host ID and do not require any patch.

The patches do not eliminate the issue of different Host IDs generated when installing 32-bit and 64-bit Niagara.

Download the G3_N4_HOSTID_PATCHES.zip and unzip into a temporary folder. The archive contains 'nre.dll' for various versions of I/A Series G3 and Series 4.2 in a directory structure identifying them first by version and sub-directory identifying 64-bit or 32-bit Windows. The 4.2 folder also contains 'njre.dll' which will need to be copied only for 4.2 installations. Follow these instructions:

Verify the installed java version to be either 64-bit or 32-bit. Start a Niagara Command Line (Home>/bin/console.exe) from the desktop of the platform to be patched.

From the Niagara Command Line execute the command: nre -version

One of the listed items will be java.vm.name. If the text contains “64-Bit” then the installation is 64-bit otherwise the installation is 32-bit.

Stop any running station using Workbench's Platform Application Director on the platform to be patched.

Exit Workbench if running on the platform to be patched.

From the Niagara Command Line ... /bin/console.exe execute the command: plat uninstalldaemon

Prior to replacement, save a copy of the existing nre.dll located in /bin folder. If Niagara 4.2 is being updated also save a copy of the existing njre.dll located in /bin folder.

Copy the version appropriate and OS appropriate (64-bit or 32-bit) downloaded version of nre.dll file to the Home>/bin folder. If Niagara 4.2 also copy njre.dll to /bin folder. Overwrite the existing file(s).

From the Niagara Command Line (/bin/console.exe) execute: plat installdaemon